Picture hanger device



g- 4, 1959 R. c. SCOTT 2,898,064

PICTURE HANGER DEVICE Filed Nov. 23, 1956 RALPH C. SCOTT INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent PICTURE HANGER DEVICE Ralph C. Scott,Rochester, N.Y. Application November 23, 1956, Serial No. 623,995

2 Claims. (Cl. 248-31) The present invention relates to a supportingdevice, and more particularly to an adjustable picture hanger.

As is well known, in hanging a picture or similar device, it isdesirable, if not essential, for the most satisfactory results, that thepicture be positioned properly laterally or horizontally and alsovertically. Where the term picture is used in the specification andclaims, it is used in its generic sense to cover a picture, mirror,easel, or similar device, which is to be hung in suspended relation.

The present invention has as its principal object, the provision of anew and improved picture hanger device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a device whichpermits accurate positioning and adjustment of the picture.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a hanger whichmay be easily and quickly adjusted to a new position when and ifdesired.

And still another object of the invention is the provision of a deviceof the class described which will permit small increments of adjustmentto enable accurate positioning and leveling of the picture.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a hanger devicewhich, when adjusted, will maintain its adjustment until againpositively readjusted.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a hanger devicewhich is simple instructure, rugged, easy to adjust, and positive in itsoperation.

To these and other ends, the invention resides in certain improvementsand combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, the novel fea tures being pointed out in the claims at theend of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the hanger of the present invention, showingthe relation of the parts to the picture, the latter being shown in thedotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the picture and hanger deviceillustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation view of a hanger, similar to that of Fig. 1,but of a larger size, to support a larger or wider picture;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation view of a clip or bracket for use on the backof the picture; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the bracket illustrated in Fig. 4,showing the arrangement of the spaced adjustment slots.

Similar reference numerals throughout the various views indicate thesame parts.

The hanger comprises a base plate, generally indicated by the numeral10. This plate is formed with a flat back plate 11 which lies flatagainst a fixed wall or sup port 12, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2.The upper end of plate 11 is bent at 13 to form a downwardly inclinedsection or portion 14 which is spaced outwardly from plate 11, as shownin Fig. 2. The lower end of portion 14 is then bent at 15 to form aninwardly inclined section 16 which extends toward plate 11. The plate 11and portion 14 form spaced walls and are provided with aligned 4,2,898,064 Patented Aug. 4, 19 59 ice holes 17 which are arranged ininclined relation, see Fig. 2, to receive the nail or other fasteningmeans 18 for fixedly securing or anchoring the base plate 10 to the wallor support 12, as shown or illustrated in Fig. 2. The lower end of plate11 is bent at 19 to provide a section 20, which overlies and is spacedfrom the lower part of plate 12 to provide a horizontal channel 21 whichextends the full length of plate 11. This entire base plate 10 ispreferably formed from a single sheet or piece of metal, but it may bemade of any other suitable material.

A picture supporting member 22, in the form of a thin strip of metal, orother suitable material, is positioned in the channel 21 and issupported on the bend 19 thereof as seen .in Fig. 2. The member 22 has alength which is greater than the length of channel 21 and plate 10, seeFigs. 1 and 2, and for a purpose to be later described. Also, the heightof member 22 is preferably slightly greater than the depth of channel21, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. It will be apparent from aninspection of Figs. l3, that the member 22 may be slid laterally freelyin channel 21 and relative to the plate 10 to position the member 22laterally relative to the plate 10 for a purpose to be later described.However, in all positions of adjustment, the opposite ends 23 and 24 ofmember 22 project laterally beyond the side edges 25 and 26,respectively, of plate 10, as best shown in Figs. 1

and 3.

The top edge 27 of member 22, adjacent the ends 23 and 24 thereof, isformed with downwardly extending, open-end slots 28 and 29. These slotsare adapted to receive the thin connecting members 30 positioned betweenthe balls 31 of a ball-type chain 32. As the latter isof well knownconstruction, further details are not deemed necessary. By means of thisarrangement, a pair of ball-type chains 32 are connected detachably toand suspended from the slots 28 or 29 at the opposite ends of member 22laterally of the edges 25 and 26 of plate 10. The plate 10 and member 22may be made of various lengths depending upon the length of the picturemember to be supported. However, in all cases, the member 22 is of alength greater than plate 10 and is freely slidable and is supported inthe channel 21. Figs. 1 and 3 show such constructions which are ofdifferent length to suit pictures of different widths. Aside from thedifferences in the length of the parts, the hangers are identical instructure, and similar parts in different views are designated by thesame numerals.

As is well known, the balls 31 are spaced equally along the chain 32 andthe distance between the centers of the adjacent balls may be designatedas a link and indicated by the letter C. It is noted that the bottom ofthe slots 28 and 29 alsoare spaced vertically a distance I each of whichcomprises a base plate 38 secured to the back 33. The upper end of plate38 is bent at 39 to form a downwardly extending section 40 of the shapeshown in Figs. 2 and 5. As will be noted, see Fig. 1, these brackets 37are positioned below and spaced laterally of plate It and member 22 sothat the chains 32 connecting slots 28 or 29 to bracket 37 are inclineddownwardly and outwardly which is the usual practice in handling apicture or similar object. This arrangement aflfords the most suitablesupport for the picture. The section 40 of each bracket 37 is formedwith a vertically arranged open end slot 41 which extends upward fromthe lower edge 45 of the section 40, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5.This slot 41, like slots 28 and 29, is adapted to receive one of theconnecting members 30 of a'chain 32, as shown in Fig. 2. In addition,each section 40 is preferably formed with a pair of horizontally openendslots 42 extending laterally or horizontally from slot 41. Preferablyonly two of these horizontal slots 42 are provided and these slots arepositioned a distance C apart. However, if desired a greater number ofsuch slots 42 may be provided, and similar slots 42 may be arranged onthe opposite side of the main slot 41, and may be aligned or instaggered relation with the other slots 42.

When the member 30 of a chain 32 is inserted in one of the slots 28 or29, adjacent balls 31 engage the opposite faces of member 22, as isdeemed apparent. Similarly, when the member 38 of a chain 32 ispositioned in one of the slots 41 or 42, the adjacent balls 31 engagethe opposite faces of section 40 of bracket 37. In this way, the chains32 are held firmly yet detachably in position on the member 22 which, inturn, is supported in a sliding relation in the channel 21 of plate Itthe latter, in turn, being fastened to the wall or support 12 by meansof nails 18.

In mounting a picture 34, the plate is first fixed to the wall 12 in aposition approximately central of the picture. The chains 32 are thenconnected between the member 22 and the brackets 37. If the picture isnot positioned laterally in the desired relation, it is only necessaryto slide the member 22 laterally in the proper direction along channel21 until the desired lateral position is reached. Thus, the structure ofthe present invention provides an easy, quick and simple way to securelateral positioning of the picture. Of course, if it later is necessaryor desirable to vary the lateral position of the picture, the member 22is again moved along the channel 21, as is deemed apparent. Furthermore,by connecting the chains in the proper slots 28 and 29, 41 and 42, thepicture may be accurately leveled or vertically adjusted. Initially thechains may be placed in any suitable group of slots to secure a rough orinitially leveling or vertical adjustment. Then, by varying the relationof the chains on the two ends of member 22 and positioning the chains inthe different slots, a very fine and highly accurate vertical adjustmentof the picture may be obtained. Furthermore, the spacing arrangement ofthe slots 28 and 29, 41 or 42, provides what may be termed a Verniereffect, the advantages of which are deemed apparent.

Thus, by moving the member 22 laterally relative to the plate 10, anaccurate lateral positioning of the picture is secured. If sufiicientlateral displacement cannot be obtained with the member 22, then beingused, this member may be removed and a longer member substitutedtherefor. Then, by selecting the particular slots into which the chainsare positioned, the vertical positioning and leveling of the picture maybe obtained with a high degree of accuracy, the advantages of which aredeemed apparent. The chains may be initially inserted in any group ofslots to secure a rough leveling adjustment. Then, after the picture issupported, the positions of the chains may be altered to place thechains in definite slots to obtain the desired high degree or finervertical adjustment or leveling of the picture.

The present invention thus provides a picture hanger device whichassures accurate and satisfactory lateral positioning and leveling ofthe picture. This device is simple, easy to use, rugged, and highlysatisfactory.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to beunderstood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a number ofways. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the precisedetails described, but is intended to cover all variations andmodifications thereof which fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

1. A picture hanger device, comprising in combination, a base plateattachable in a fixed relation on a support, a picture supporting memberof a length greater than said plate, means on said plate supporting saidmember slidably on said plate so that said member may be adjustedlaterally relative to said plate to adjust a picture laterally relativeto said plate, said supporting member being formed with at least a pairof open end slots extending downwardly from the top edge thereofadjacent the ends thereof and laterally of said plate, a picture,brackets secured to the rear side of said picture adjacent the oppositeedges thereof, each of said brackets being formed with at least a pairof vertically spaced open end slots, and separate chain membersconnecting the slots of said supporting member to the slots of saidbrackets to support said picture from said supporting member, thevertical distance between the bottoms of the slotson each end of saidsupporting member and the vertical distance between the slots of saidbracket being substantially equal to the length of a link of said chain,the arrangement of the slots being such that by the proper selection ofthe slots a very accurate adjustment of the opposite edges of thepicture can be obtained to level the picture.

2. A picture hanger device, comprising in combination, a base plateattachable in a fixed relation on a support, said plate being formedwith a horizontally extending channel, a picture supporting member of alength greater than said plate and slidably positioned and supported insaid channel for movement laterally thereof to adjust the position of apicture laterally relative to said plate, said supporting member beingformed with a pair of vertically extending open-end slots extendingdownwardly from the upper edge of said supporting member and adjacentthe opposite ends thereof and laterally of said plate, a picture, a pairof brackets secured to the rear side of said picture adjacent oppositeedges thereof, each of said brackets being formed with a pair ofvertically spaced open-end slots, separate link members composed oflinks and connecting the ends of said supporting member to saidbrackets, and elements of said link members positionable selectively insaid slots to adjust the relative lengths of said members to adjust theopposite edges of said picture to level the latter, the bottoms of theslots in said supporting member and the vertical spacing of the slots insaid brackets being substantially equal to the length of a link of saidlink members so that by selecting the proper elements of said linkmembers and the slots on said supporting member and said brackets theopposite edges of said picture may be adjusted separately and accuratelyto obtain the desired level relation of said picture on said support.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS341,964 Taylor May 18, 1886 2,005,334 Casper June 18, 1935 2,448,588Greenberg Sept. 7, 1948 2,657,887 White Nov. 3, 1953 2,740,603 Woffo-rd'Apr. 3, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 137,153 Great Britain Jan. 8, 1920

